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U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to join climate march

"We stand with them on the right side of this key issue for our common future," Ban said.

By Brooks Hays
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he will join the planned climate march in New York on Sunday. UPI/Dennis Van Tine
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he will join the planned climate march in New York on Sunday. UPI/Dennis Van Tine | License Photo

NEW YORK, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- More than 100,000 protesters are expected to march through New York City this weekend in an effort to raise awareness about global warming and encourage world leaders to pursue policy solutions more aggressively. Some of those same world leaders are expected to join the protesters, including United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

At press conference held earlier this week in New York, the leader of the U.N. confirmed his intention to join arms with the protesters toward the end of the march where a stage will be set up for public speakers. "I will link arms with those marching for climate action," Ban said. "We stand with them on the right side of this key issue for our common future."

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Ban and other world leaders have begun gathering in the city in preparation for next week's General Assembly meeting.

"The Climate Summit that I am convening one week from today has two goals: to mobilize political will for a universal and meaningful climate agreement next year in Paris; and second to generate ambitious steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen resilience," Ban said. "This is not going to be a negotiation. But, whatever agreement or understanding will be made here, will be reflected in the UNFCCC [United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change] negotiation process."

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But before that summit convenes, thousands of marchers will traverse through the city on Sunday, voicing their concerns over the consequences of climate change and the lack of political consensus around minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.

"I will also take part in the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park to thank thousands of young people for helping us to fight hunger, protect the planet and promote the rights of women and girls," Ban added.

Former vice president Al Gore will also join the March on Sunday -- expected to be one of the largest environmental protests since more than a million gathered to celebrate Earth Day in New York City in 1970. Gore told Mashable he believes the march is a sign climate change advocacy is "one of the historic and powerful social movements, and in some ways the biggest social movement on a global basis that we have ever seen."

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